Singularity

Kira opened her eyes and looked around. She didn’t recognize the room she was in but she knew where she was. The room was dark. She tried to get out of bed and couldn’t move everything on her ached.

“Easy Kira,” Sephiroth said as he sat down beside her.

“I don’t feel so good papa.” She groaned.

“I imagine so.” He replied as he took her hand. “That was something what you did yesterday.”

“I broke the windows.” She sighed.

“Yes, you did.” He smiled.

“I should fix them.” She stated.

“No, you should rest.” He countered.

“I’ve rested enough. I need to move.” She pouted.

“We need to talk.” It was his turn to sigh.

“Papa, I understand.” She said calmly.

“I don’t think you do.” He said.

“It’s my fault she’s dead.” Kira started to cry.

“No baby it’s not.” He tried to console her.

“Yes it is. I touched the prism and cut myself on the glass. My blood set him free.” She replied.

He didn’t know what to say so he sighed and said, “Oh Kira.”

“I can hear her voice in the wind papa.” She said when the tears finally stopped.

“She says that that this was how it was meant to be.” Kira sighed.

“Remember when I told you things were going to change?” He asked.

“Yes,” She replied.

“You can trust no one. The betrayer can be anyone, even me. You must learn to know the difference.” He stated.

“How do I learn?” She asked.

“You must know that he can use magic against you. You have to find a way to defend yourself without it.” He said.

“I believe it papa. Tell me how.” She said.

“I’ve petitioned the academy to train you as it did both your mother and I. They said they would consider it.” He replied.

“You would be on your own there. The masters will train you in weaponry and self reliance.” He added.

“I’d have to live there? For how long?” She gasped.

“For as long as it takes.” He replied.

“No, I don’t want to go.” She pouted.

“Kira, you must.” He stated.

“I don’t like it.” She crawled out of bed and slipped into her shoes.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“To fix the windows and take a walk. I’ll do what you ask papa, but I don’t have to like it.” She walked away and slammed the door behind her.

Kira entered the throne room and looked around. Servants had been there for what must have been hours cleaning up her mess. Before they could even blink she lifted her hands taking the glass up with them and fused it back into place. She didn’t stop to listen to the mutters as she walked down the hallway and out the door.

Kira kicked up dust as she tried to walk off her disappointment. She didn’t want things to change. She liked her life the way it was. However honorable her parents intentions may have been it had cost her everything. If they hadn’t been so selfish, she thought, she would have grown up knowing the risks, and her mother would still be alive.

Kira hadn’t been walking long when she came across what appeared to be a stable near the tree line. Curiosity overwhelmed her as she made her way to investigate.

It was a small building holding only four horse stalls. Two of which were occupied by a chestnut colored mare and a black stallion. As Kira got closer to the mare she could see that there was a curly haired blonde boy behind her brushing away the dust. When he saw her he smiled and his blue eyes seemed to glow for an instant.

“Hello,” He smiled as he spoke softly.

“Hi,” Kira replied not able to hide her smile.

“I haven’t seen you around before.” He said as he went back to brushing the horse.

“Yeah, I’m new to the area.” She replied blushing slightly.

“Cool,” He said. “I’m Ein.”

“Kira,” She replied.

“Nice to meet you Kira.” He replied politely.

“Thanks Ein.” She blushed again.

“You want to help?” He asked holding out the brush.

“Sure,” She said as she took it from him.

When Ein’s hand touched Kira’s she felt a shock. She had to keep herself from recoiling.

“Sorry,” He said quickly. “I do that sometimes. That’s why I work with the horses. They don’t seem to mind.”

“It’s alright. It only startled me. I thought I was the only one.” She replied.

“What do you mean?” He looked at her oddly.

Kira smiled and held out her hand. The brush floated from her hand and began to smooth out the horses coat. Ein looked on completely amazed. More brushes joined in so the two of them kicked back and relaxed on the hay.

“Very cool.” He said. “Wish I could do that. It would make my job so much easier.” He laughed.

“Yeah, papa said I’m not supposed to do it. He thinks its lazy.” She replied.

“I don’t,” He smiled. “If I had powers like that I’d use them for everything.”

“I’m not really supposed to depend on them. Papa wants to send me to the academy to learn to protect myself in other ways.” She said.

“That’s so stupid.” He said. “If you get sent away does that mean we can’t hang out?”

She blushed again, “I don’t know. I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

“I mean if you’d like to hang out.” He blushed.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” She replied.

“Want to go for a ride tomorrow?” He asked. “I know this great place for a picnic in the woods.”

“That sounds fun,” She said as she stood and dusted off the hay.

“Cool,” He said.

“I’d better get back. See you tomorrow Ein.” She smiled.

“See you then Kira.” He smiled back.

Kira skipped away happier than she had been before she left the castle. She’d never had a friend before. She was looking forward to seeing Ein again. When she made it back to the castle she found her father in the library. He was with an older man, completely covered in a black robe. When she walked in the man fell silent.

“Feel better now Kira?” Sephiroth asked.

“Yes papa, I’m sorry.” She replied.

“This is master Harmond from the academy.” Sephiroth stated. “This is my daughter, Princess Kira.”

“Master Harmond,” She bowed politely.

“He is here to escort you to the academy for your training.” He added.

“Wait, what?” She gasped. “Like right now?”

“Yes Kira. You will go tonight.” He said.

“But we just got here. I didn’t even have enough time to get used to it!” She argued.

“I believe that is the point, young lady.” Master Harmond stated.

She scoffed, “I’m sure.”

“Everything will be provided for you. Say your goodbye’s and let’s get on with it.” Master Harmond ordered.

“Papa,” She whined.

“That’s enough Kira.” He snapped and then softened up.

“I love you daughter.” Sephiroth kissed her forehead.

“I love you too papa.” She sighed.

“Go and learn, get stronger so you can face Domascus when he returns.” Sephiroth replied.

“Alright papa.” She said.

“Come,” Master Harmond said as he turned away and made for the stairs.

Kira followed him silently as he began to list the rules.

“You will not use magic of any sort or the punishment will be severe. You will bow to your masters, never looking them in the eye. You will do everything your elders instruct you to do when a master is not present. Are we clear?” Master Harmond stated.

“Yes Master.” She replied disappointed.

“Good,” He stopped in the middle of the hallway and waived his hand.

“Let’s go then.” He stated as the doorway opened to a long dark corridor.

Kira could have wept as she stepped into the darkness. Master Harmond led her down the damp stone corridor. The only light she could see was from the torches on the wall. She shivered and felt suffocated by the walls around her. At last, they stopped in front of the wooden door.

“This will be your room. You will be assigned in the morning.” He stated.

“Thank you Master.” She managed to choke out before she shut herself inside.

The room was dark. Kira fumbled around looking for a light. When she didn’t find one she created her own. The blue orb hovered in the air allowing her to look around. The oil lamp was on the nightstand next to a box of matches. There was a small cot with a gray blanket and a dresser all jammed into the small space. She lit the lamp and extinguished her magical light as the door flung open.

“What the hell?” She cussed. “Do you people know the meaning of knock?”

“There is no privacy here. Get used to it.” The man replied.

“Fine,” She growled and folded her arms over her chest as he stepped into the light.

The man was tall, Kira noticed that first. He had dark brown hair that flowed past his broad shoulders in long waves, and a piercing blue stare that froze her to the core. He wore all black and had a silver handled sword strapped to his side.

“Care to tell me what that strange light was?” He growled.

“Care to tell me who you are?” She retorted.

“Elder Michalei,” He replied with a smirk.

“You know who I am?” She smirked as she stood toe to toe with him.

“Yes I do Kira, witch of Avalon.” He replied.

“Then you know what that light was.” She replied sternly. “Are you going to punish me now or are we going to stare each other to death?” She snapped.

He raised an eyebrow, “Don’t do it again. Not everyone tolerates your kind.”

Kira was shocked when Michalei just turned and walked away. She had thought for sure that she was in for trouble. She breathed a sigh of relief and fell back on the bed to wait out the night.